'Toys for the North' Christmas delivery brings smiles to Labrador children
RCMP officers are busy bringing smiles to children's faces in Labrador.
As part of the Toys for the North program, RCMP are delivering presents to isolated communities along the coast just in time for Christmas.
There were a lot of happy faces in Black Tickle Monday, as children received their delivery of two gifts each.
"Around here we don't get much stuff come in and to see someone actually do this for us is really nice," Victor Dyson told CBC News, adding that he loves surprises and will be saving his present for Christmas Day.
Other kids, like Kiera Dyson, couldn't wait to open her present and show it off.
"I like my new present because it is a nice little kitchen … I always wanted a kitchen."
Rewarding experience
Const. Edward Power has been delivering toys to the community for the past three years and he was on hand to help spread the holiday joy.
"I'll gladly take the role as an elf," Power said.
"When you see the smiles on these kids faces, getting these gifts, it makes Christmas 10 times better."
Toys for the North is a partnership with the Canadian Toy Association that began in 2010, with RCMP in Labrador joining forces with program four years ago.
The Canadian military delivered around 3,000 toys to the hanger in Happy Valley-Goose Bay Friday, where they were sorted and wrapped for delivery.
RCMP Cpl. Rick Mills, who was part of that operation, said because the officers involved live and work in these small communities, bonds are formed with the residents.
He added that being involved in this program is a natural partnership for local police.
"It's quite rewarding to see a child open up a gift who's never had that gift before and then to hear a parent say that they've been trying to save for the last three years and could never afford that gift," said Mills.
"It kind of gives you that warm fuzzy feeling."
Mills said both Provincial Airlines and Air Labrador have stepped up to help the RCMP get toys to the kids.
Deliveries will be made to Nain, Natuashish, Hopedale, Makkovik, Postville, Rigolet, as well as the south coastdown to Forteau, Mary's Harbour and Cartwright.
